User Experience, Engagement, and Popularity in Mental Health Apps: Secondary Analysis of App Analytics and Expert App Reviews

Kaveladze, Benjamin; Wasil, Akash R.; Bunyi, John; Ramirez, Veronica; Schueller, Stephen M.

doi:10.2196/30766

Cited by 46 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…However, since the MARS does not consider the number of different features of MHAs in functionality evaluation [21], comparison between the functionality of MHAs with comprehensive features and MHAs with limited features is di cult. Also, in this study, the user score was correlated with the overall score of MARS as well as the subjective quality score of the MHA, which was in contrast to previous studies that reported no correlation between the MARS score and the user score [24,26,34,35]. Given that users often rely on user ratings when choosing an app to download [22], this is an encouraging nding that there is a correlation between user ratings and MARS ratings for Persian maternity care MHAs.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 86%

Quality Assessment and Content Analysis of Persian Mobile Health Applications for Maternity Care on Android Platforms

Moghaddam-Banaem¹,

Rahimi

Ahmadi³

et al. 2022

SSRN Journal

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 86%

Quality Assessment and Content Analysis of Persian Mobile Health Applications for Maternity Care on Android Platforms

Moghaddam-Banaem¹,

Rahimi

Ahmadi³

et al. 2022

SSRN Journal

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“…Similarly, usability has been reported as important for promoting engagement. Acceptability and engagement are critical elements of mental health apps that support users [ 73 ]. However, it is recognized that operationalizing meaningful app engagement is not straightforward, as many downloaded apps are never used and more work is needed to define sustained engagement, what leads to it, and how to create products that achieve it [ 73 , 74 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Acceptability and engagement are critical elements of mental health apps that support users [ 73 ]. However, it is recognized that operationalizing meaningful app engagement is not straightforward, as many downloaded apps are never used and more work is needed to define sustained engagement, what leads to it, and how to create products that achieve it [ 73 , 74 ]. Further research may explore characteristics facilitating initial use, continued use, and the implications of changing the treatment structure during an intervention (eg, Do individuals find it motivating or overwhelming?).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of Markers of Successful Implementation of Mental Health Apps for Young People: Systematic Review

Bear¹,

Ayala-Nunes²,

DeJesus³

et al. 2022

J Med Internet Res

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Background Smartphone apps have the potential to address some of the current issues facing service provision for young people’s mental health by improving the scalability of evidence-based mental health interventions. However, very few apps have been successfully implemented, and consensus on implementation measurement is lacking. Objective This review aims to determine the proportion of evidence-based mental health and well-being apps that have been successfully adopted and sustained in real-world settings. A secondary aim is to establish if key implementation determinants such as coproduction, acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness, and engagement contribute toward successful implementation and longevity. Methods Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, an electronic search of 5 databases in 2021 yielded 18,660 results. After full-text screening, 34 articles met the full eligibility criteria, providing data on 29 smartphone apps studied with individuals aged 15 to 25 years. Results Of 34 studies, only 10 (29%) studies were identified that were evaluating the effectiveness of 8 existing, commercially available mental health apps, and the remaining 24 (71%) studies reported the development and evaluation of 21 newly developed apps, of which 43% (9/21) were available, commercially or otherwise (eg, in mental health services), at the time of enquiry. Most studies addressed some implementation components including adoption, acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and engagement. Factors including high cost, funding constraints, and lengthy research processes impeded implementation. Conclusions Without addressing common implementation drivers, there is considerable redundancy in the translation of mobile mental health research findings into practice. Studies should embed implementation strategies from the outset of the planned research, build collaborations with partners already working in the field (academic and commercial) to capitalize on existing interventions and platforms, and modify and evaluate them for local contexts or target problems and populations. Trial Registration PROSPERO CRD42021224365; https://tinyurl.com/4umpn85f

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“…Likewise, several participants mentioned wanting a social media component to help them feel more engaged. The incorporation of social media has been shown to improve app engagement [ 98 ] and may help to improve long-term app use [ 99 ]; therefore, we may also develop and include social features in future iterations of RuminAid.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of an mHealth App–Based Intervention for Depressive Rumination (RuminAid): Mixed Methods Focus Group Evaluation

Rosenfeld¹,

Lyman²,

Roberts³

2022

JMIR Form Res

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Background Depression is a common mental health condition that poses a significant public health burden. Effective treatments for depression exist; however, access to evidence-based care remains limited. Mobile health (mHealth) apps offer an avenue for improving access. However, few mHealth apps are informed by evidence-based treatments and even fewer are empirically evaluated before dissemination. To address this gap, we developed RuminAid, an mHealth app that uses evidence-based treatment components to reduce depression by targeting a single key depressogenic process—rumination. Objective The primary objective of this study was to collect qualitative and quantitative feedback that could be used to improve the design of RuminAid before the software development phase. Methods We reviewed empirically supported interventions for depression and rumination and used the key aspects of each to create a storyboard version of RuminAid. We distributed an audio-guided presentation of the RuminAid storyboard to 22 individuals for viewing and solicited user feedback on app content, design, and perceived functionality across 7 focus group sessions. Results The consumer-rated quality of the storyboard version of RuminAid was in the acceptable to good range. Indeed, most participants reported that they thought RuminAid would be an engaging, functional, and informational app. Likewise, they endorsed overwhelming positive beliefs about the perceived impact of RuminAid; specifically, 96% (21/22) believed that RuminAid will help depressed ruminators with depression and rumination. Nevertheless, the results highlighted the need for improved app aesthetics (eg, a more appealing color scheme and modern design). Conclusions Focus group members reported that the quality of information was quite good and had the potential to help adults who struggle with depression and rumination but expressed concern that poor aesthetics would interfere with users’ desire to continue using the app. To address these comments, we hired a graphic designer and redesigned each screen to improve visual appeal. We also removed time gating from the app based on participant feedback and findings from related research. These changes helped elevate RuminAid and informed its initial software build for a pilot trial that focused on evaluating its feasibility and acceptability.

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User Experience, Engagement, and Popularity in Mental Health Apps: Secondary Analysis of App Analytics and Expert App Reviews

Cited by 46 publications

References 40 publications

Quality Assessment and Content Analysis of Persian Mobile Health Applications for Maternity Care on Android Platforms

Quality Assessment and Content Analysis of Persian Mobile Health Applications for Maternity Care on Android Platforms

Determination of Markers of Successful Implementation of Mental Health Apps for Young People: Systematic Review

Development of an mHealth App–Based Intervention for Depressive Rumination (RuminAid): Mixed Methods Focus Group Evaluation

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